"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre aims to present an accurate history as chroniclers of early Australian military developments from 1899 to 1920.

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre site holds over 12,000 entries and is growing daily.

The following is an alphabetical roll of all Australians known members of the many military formations which embarked overseas during the South African (Second Boer) War, 1899-1902.

Each man is detailed on this reference list with the following information:

Service Number;

Rank on Embarkation;

First Names;

Family Name;

If applicable, any false name employed; and,

Service unit.

Notes

Note 1: All soldiers’ names are linked to the specific unit and date when embarkation occurred.

Note 2: There are duplications of some names in the following list. The reason for this is that the soldier embarked on more than one occasion. This was the simplest way of resolving the problem of multiple entries for a single individual.

It has not been considered desirable to detail the preliminary training in the case of each Contingent or draft. It may readily be understood; however, that it would have been impossible to clothe, equip, drill, and despatch 6,000 men and horses to the seat of the war, readily and steadily, without perfect system and regularity of method. The first Contingents embarked were in reality drafts from the three New South Wales mounted regiments; the company of infantry was enrolled entirely from selected men of the Militia and Volunteer Battalions. These were, therefore, a superior class of individuals, from whom considerable was to be expected; and there was little trouble in getting them away. "A" Battery R.A.A. was, of course, under strict discipline; and the same may be said of the Army Medical Corps.

But much rougher material had to be dealt with in the Bushmen's and subsequent Contingents; though, of course, they ultimately became leavened with a proportion of men who had been to the war and gained valuable experience. Many of the recruits, however-a large majority in some cases-were mere rough bushmen, countrymen, handicraftsmen, farm, labourers, and the like, who had never soldiered before, and had everything to learn in the way of drill and discipline.

Camps of Instruction were established at Randwick and elsewhere; and the men, having been accepted, passed the tests, and enrolled, were put through such a rapid and comprehensive course as should fit them for duty. Horses were selected and purchased as rapidly as possible, consistently with fair accuracy of judgment, and handed over to their riders, who were taught the routine of stable duty. They were issued with uniforms and equipment, and organized into squadrons; squadrons subdivided into troops,, and troops into sections of four. The men were exercised in recruit drill, musketry, marching, and squadron work, and the duties of an irregular horseman, both mounted and dismounted. Finally, the battalion was paraded as such; and officers and sergeants tested in their work. Interior economy, as applied to the routine of camp life and the field, and discipline, also formed important subjects of instruction.

Duly qualified officers and staff-sergeants were selected for the training, and a Camp Commandant appointed for each Camp. Selected officers were likewise detailed to make the necessary arrangements for embarkation of men and horses in the transports available in each case; so that when the day arrived, all things being in readiness, there might not be any hitch.

By these means, and a severe course of what might be termed "forcing," the various Contingents were enabled to make quite a creditable appearance when they marched to the quay for embarkation; usually in the presence of thousands of interested and enthusiastic spectators. Great encomium was due to the Head Quarter Staff, both the A.A.G. and A.Q.M.G. Departments, and to the key Department, under Mr. J. B. Laing, upon which an unusually severe strain was placed. Also to the officers and sergeants instructors for the unanimity and energy with which they worked to bring about so desirable a consumption.

No horses were brought back from South Africa; they were handed over to Remount Depots prior to embarkation of each Contingent for Australia.

In addition to the articles of uniform noted as issued to Contingents, each man was supplied with boots and a full and complete kit, comprising clothing, underwear, necessaries, etc.

The following is an alphabetical roll of all Australians known members of the many military formations which embarked overseas during the South African (Second Boer) War, 1899-1902.

Each man is detailed on this reference list with the following information:

Service Number;

Rank on Embarkation;

First Names;

Family Name;

If applicable, any false name employed; and,

Service unit.

Notes

Note 1: All soldiers’ names are linked to the specific unit and date when embarkation occurred.

Note 2: There are duplications of some names in the following list. The reason for this is that the soldier embarked on more than one occasion. This was the simplest way of resolving the problem of multiple entries for a single individual.

The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre is a not for profit and non profit group whose sole aim is to write the early history of the Australian Light Horse from 1900
- 1920. It is privately funded and the information is provided by the individuals within the group and while permission for the use of the material has been given for this
site for these items by various donors, the residual and actual copyright for these items, should there be any, resides exclusively with the donors. The information on
this site is freely available for private research use only and if used as such, should be appropriately acknowledged. To assist in this process, each item has a citation
attached at the bottom for referencing purposes.

Please Note: No express or implied permission is given for commercial use of the information contained within this site.

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The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has made every endeavour to contact copyright holders of material digitised for this blog and website and where
appropriate, permission is still being sought for these items. Where replies were not received, or where the copyright owner has not been able to be traced, or where
the permission is still being sought, the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has decided, in good faith, to proceed with digitisation and publication. Australian Light
Horse Studies Centre would be happy to hear from copyright owners at any time to discuss usage of this item.